Existing software

There are several different types of existing software:

• Analysis programs already written
• Data access APIs already designed and implemented
• Common, well understood, development models

While using existing analysis programs is important, it only scratches the surface of the spectrum of `existing software'. Data access APIs and the extant body of programming paradigms is a much more important resource. APIs are important because they are designed with longevity in mind; accommodating them increases the stability of a system. Designing a system which CO-opts existing software paradigms incorporates into the system a large body of design expertise and makes it easier for people to use.

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